Writing-machine.



PATENTED JUNE 12, 1906.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

E. B. HESS.

WRITING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 27, 1901.

Q Q A a w x \MI 7 v Q N mvmon g ATTORNEYS MN! NM APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 27, 1901.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

INVENTOR iMJQ/Q WITNESSES:

/ ATTORN EYS.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

B. HESS, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNORSBY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO ROYAL TYBEWRITER COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN,

" Q NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION OFNEW JERSEY.

WRITING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 12, 1906.

Application filed August 27. 1901. Serial No- 73,460.

, 1902, application for which was filed April 26, 1901, I have shown and claimed a'structure containing flexible type-bar-actuating connections having the general construction and mode of operation of thoseherein dis- I 5 closed. That patent shows and claims, however, details of construction not herein disclosed and to which the claims thereof are drawn, the right being reserved therein to make generic claims in this application, Serial No. 73,460. Such generic claims, however, are made in divisions of this application filed August 1, 1905, and serially numbered 272,170 and 272,171, to claims of which the construction disclosed in this case is subordinate.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of so much of a machine as is deemed desirable to illustrate the invention; Fig. 2, a vertical longitudinal section there- 0 through.

The machine herein discolsed is a frontstroke type-bar writing-machine. It is contemplated that each type-bar shall have two characters thereon and that either the typebar segment or platen shall be shifted to print at will either upper or lower case letters. As shown, provision is made for shifting the platen. Y

The frame is of any appropriate construc- 49 tion. At a suitable oint below the plane in which the platen is located is mounted the type-bar segment 1, in which the type-bars 2 are pivoted on a rod or wire, as usual. They lie toward the front of the machine against a segmental rest 3. To the heel or projection of each type-bar'is attached the rear end of a flexing connection, the front end of which is secured to a fixed point or piece 4, adjustably and detachably mounted 50 y a slot and set-screw connection in a segment 5, located toward the front of the ma chine and in front of the transverse plane in which the heads of the type-bars normally lie. Eacliconnection (in the form in which it is shown) is composed of a rear link 6 and a front link 7, united at their adjacent ends by a bin e-joint. This joint is formed by a third ink- 8, arranged transversely to the flexing connection and to the lower end of which links 6 7 are pivotally joined. Below the flexing connection is a series of key-levers 9, whose upturned ends are equipped with finger-pieces arranged in straight parallel rows. Somewhat in rear of their extrme front ends the keylevers converge toward the rear, so that at a point below the type-bar segment 1 they occupy a space substantially equal in width to the length of its chord. From each key-lever a projection 10 extends upward and is hinged to the upper end of the corresponding link 8. Springs 11 are shown applied 0 the typebars, and springs may be applie to the keylevers. If a universal bar 12 be employed beneath the key-levers, it may, as usual, be urged upwardly against the key-levers by spring-pressure. Either or both arrangements may be employed. It is sufficient that the spring reaction, wherever and however applied, shall properly assist in returning the type-bars to their position of rest, and so normally maintain them.

To secure a uniform depth of depression of the finger-pieces, the points of connection of the links 6 with the type-bars or the angle at which the links 7 are disposed may be varied. When a finger-piece and its keys are depressed, link 8 will be thrust down, swinging the part of the flexing connection 'in front of it'i. 6., link 7 around its point of connection with the fixed piece 4thus draw-' ing the rear link 6 toward the front of the machine and actuating the type-bar by 'a pull. This movement is characterized by a minimum of resistance at the start, with correspondingly-low velocity of the type-bar and an increase in resistance and type-bar velocity during the downward excursion of the finger-piece. The link 8 in its endwise movement follows the are or curve described by the art or link 7, and so maintains substantial y its angular relation thereto.

The links 6 7 are shown as inclined downwardly toward the point of flexure, the angle at which link 7 is set determining the desired depth of depression of the finger-piece re- 'roo quired to move the type-bar through an arc of ninety degrees.

The Links 7 are shown disposed at such angle as to afford moderate and suitable depth of depression of the finger-pieces, and the construction illustrated contemplates that they may be of uniform length.

Two key-levers only are shown. 9 is the centerkey of the upper row connected with the central flexing connection running to the lowest point of the segment 5. 9 is one of the end keys of the front row and is connected with a flexing connection running to the endof the segment.

The construction of the carriage and platen and mechanism for shifting the latter may be of any appropriate character. As shown, the carriage travels upon rails 29 and 30, mounted in. brackets located at the sides of the frame. The platen 31 is mounted in a' frame 32, carried in the ends of parallel pivoted arms 33 34, extending horizontally from the The relation of the type-bars and flexing connections is much the same, affording substantial uniformity of behavior. The structure is light, cheap, and simple and affords a marked refinement of touch of the fingerpieces. Obviously when the device or connection for operating the flexing type-bar-actuating connection is applied at the hingejoint of the latter tensile strain. only is exerted upon the parts thereof from the point of fiexure tothe opposite ends, respectively, and such parts may therefore be very light and inexpensive, and preferably are made of wire. Preferably the joints between the members of I the flexing connection and between it and the fixed point and type-bar are such as to allow sli ht twisting movements. This is particular desirable at the type-bars near the ends of t e segment. a

The arrangement designated by me a flexing connection may have in some forms the full operation of a reverse or accelerating tog gle and in. all forms is of the nature of such a toggle. As illustrated, application of power thereto is in a line intersecting one drawn between the fixed point and the point of attachment to the type-bar.

I claim as my invention 1. In a writing-machine, the combination of a platen, a type-bar segment, type-bars pivoted therein and normally lying toward the front of the machine, flexing connections one for each type-bar arranged under the type-bars and each connected at its rear end to its type-bar and at its front end to a fixed piece and composed of two links, a third link connected to" the adjacent ends of such two links and extending upwardly therefrom, key-levers disposed beneath the flexing connections and formed with upwardly-extend ing projections pivotally connected with the upper end of said third link of the corresponding connection.

2. In a writing-machine, the combination of a type-bsir-actuating flexing connection having when flexed the action of a reverse or accelerating. toggle and connected at its rear end to its type-bar and a detachable adjustable piece mounted onthe frame and towhich the front end of the flexing connection is hinged. I

3'. In a writing-machine, a series of adjustable detachable pieces mounted upon a fixed part of the frame, rearwardly-extending links hinged thereto and each having its rear end connected by a flexing joint to rearwardlyextending link whose rear end is connected to its type-bar and. means for depressing the flexing joint between the two links topull the type-bar to the printing-point with an increasing velocity.

4. In a writing-machine, the combination of a series of detachable pieces secured to a fixed part of the frame, type-bar-actuating connections connected with said pieces ex.- tending rearwardly to their respective typebars and capable of flexure intermediate their ends and means for flexing. such connctions to subject them to tensile strain on both sides of the point of flexure and pull the type-bars-to the printing-point with increasingvelocity.

Intestimonywhereof I have hereunto subscribed my name. I

EDWARD B. HESS.

Witnesses EDWARD C. DAVIDSON, L. L. BROWNING.

TOO 

